What In Tarnation?!?!? In the Classroom

So now I am done with all seven novels. So how do they all stack up to each other. That is why we have the death match. Starting from my least favorite to my favorite Harry Potter novel. Whose ready for a death match? This entry has no spoilers for the latest novel, can’t say the same for the older novels.

7. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, the first book ranks in as my least favorite of all the novels. It had to start somewhere. You can really see how Rowling has grown as an author over the years and with each passing book. Ultimately, the book’s sunnier outlook just doesn’t stack up with the rest of the darker novels.

6. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. The downfall for this book comes down to Dumbledore’s avoidance of Harry throughout the book. Then there is Harry’s less than pleasant disposition doesn’t make for the funniest trip to Hogwart’s. It does have my second favorite (or hated) villain in it, Delores Umbridge.

5. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. This book seems to be universally favored among all the Potterheads but I have never really liked it as much as the other novels. The introduction of the Dementors was cool even though they have less and less scary as the series has progressed. Additionally, I never connected with Sirius. As the series went on, I learned to like him even less, especially how he and his friends treated other people. I do like how Voldermort gets a rest in this one.

4. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Relationships begin to solidify, annoying elements seen in other novels fade away. One thing that I really liked about this novel was that it was not a self contained story like all the novels previously. Instead the ending was left open, amping up the tension to the final show down. And of course my predictions that I made since I started reading these books came true and it made me feel smart. I like feeling smart.

3. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. This book was just fun. It really was the turning point in the series, this is the last bit of fun before we get really serious. My favorite thing about the novel is that we get to see the wizarding and magic world outside of England and Hogwarts. Just fun stuff. This was also the first novel that I knew that Rowling wasn’t kidding around and wasn’t going to pull any punches.

2. Harry Potter and The Chambers of Secrets. Though this novel suffers from some of the same problems of the first novel, it still is one of my favorites. The thing that I enjoyed the most about CoS is the time travel plot. I really got caught up with that. I also enjoyed that the villain isn’t really present day Voldermort but Riddle from the past.

And the winner of the death match is…

1. The book that brings everything together. Just what is was supposed to do. I can say that I don’t think there were any slow or annoying parts for me. Some have attacked of the later chapters as being too talking but it kept my attention. I loved finding out how everything went together. This novel proved that Rowling knew what she was doing and stuck to her guns. That is something that I can admire.

Thanks, J.K. Rowling for all the good times. I loved all your books.

Later taters!

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